Lighting Help

Beau is hosting the January Meeting this coming Saturday the 14th at 6PM.  It will be BYOB as well as a snack to share and raffle items are always welcome.  It has been requested that there be “NO SHOES” on the carpet due to it being a whitish color.

He doesn’t have a tank to view but we will have plenty to discuss in hopes that it will get the NEW YEAR off to a good start.  The annual membership fees are due, so now would be a good time to get them in to our Treasurer Stacey Hahn.   Fees are $20 per individual or $25 per family

Attendance was low at the election meeting in November and no votes were taken at December’s meeting so we have decided to take votes for anyone that didn’t get the opportunity in November and will be attending this meeting.  
We will add the votes to November’s ballots and the announcement will be made during the meeting so we can go forward.
NOMINATIONS:
President:  Jim & Nacho
V. President: Ed, Bo & Daniel Leigey
Treasurer: Stacey
Secretary: Carmen & Angie

Let’s hope the New Year brings new members, returning members and new ideas.  The club is always willing to take suggestions to get the most out of the hobby we all enjoy.

Please PM Nate C. by clicking here for directions if you are not a club member.  

Club members can click here to go to the club member only forum to get directions.

Hope to see you all there!

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[jerryB]

I recently aquired an 80 gal setup (thanks Kylem) and am a little unsure of the lighting I will need. I really dont want to be restricted on what I put into my tank, but yet obviously dont want to spend a fortune on electrical bills or extravgant lighting systems since I am relatively new to this. Any ideas? Would a 250 watt MH be a wise choice with this size tank? How do the T-5's compare in effectiveness and cost? What wattage per gal. would be recommended for each of these lighting systems. I really appreciate any suggestions and assistance. Also, anyone have a lighting system for sale? I have a partial lighting system for MH but will need the balance (no ballasts).
Thanks in advance!

Jerry

[Ed]

Jerry,
    A couple 250 watt ballast would work with good reflectors if you want a tank to grow anything.   Remember the more wattage the more heat dispersed into your tank with MH.   I would get the best reflector possible and use a minimum of light if it were me.   A 400 watt bulb averages 30 inches of penetration, a 250 covers 24 inches, a 175 I would assume 16 inches.    I am not sure if you called me on phone.   But I lost your number because someone in family deleted message.   

[jerryB]

I appreciate the info. I was just afraid to put too much light into that size of tank. I have an orange tree sponge and have ricordeas and gorgonias along with some pink people eaters and didnt know if the MH would blast them with too much light. What about T-5's? Would they consume less electricity with simular performance? Thanks again!

[reefbegood]

what is the H#L#W of the tank

[jerryB]

The outside dim. are 48L x 18W x 23H.  What about a MH on one end, and a T-5 on the other?  Thanks!

[jimbo]

jerry what do you want to keep in your tank? i have two 55 gal tanks growing soft,lps,sps corals and anemones with 4 65 watt compacts. 4 t5 full lenth would do the same. if you want clams well james fatheree said metal halide is what they need but you might start looking into a chiller even with 175s hope this helps

[jerryB]

With the T-5's or compacts, a chiller may not be necessary? Sounds like the less expensive way to go. I would like to try my hand at different kind of corals, and would one day like to get a clam, but if I can raise just about anything except clams with the less expensive method, I may take that route.

[The Apprentice]

Hi Jerry I have a 75 gallon tank that I run 2 250 watt HQI MH with 2 actinic 46" bulbs in a older custom PFO fixture It requires a 1/4 hp chiller to keep it at a constant,  It started out as a SPS clam tank with anomie's as well..
IF what i have learned with t-5 tech I would try this and you should have pretty good results..Here is some shots of it with 20K Radiums on it
Best of luck,
Jeff